14 of April 2018

Exclusive photo tour to Cuba - April 14th

Participating in a photo tour with a professional photographer passionate about the country and teaching, is without doubt the best option that a photographer can choose to discover a new culture, to improve their photographic level and to return home with great photographs.

This photography tour is specially designed by Louis to teach photography in two totally different scenarios such as Havana and Viñales, the big city and the countryside, the urban character of the havaneros and the quiet personality of Cuban farmers.

In this Cuban photo workshop the groups of travelers are small (2 - 7 travelers), this way it’s easier to move around Cuba and to enter places where large groups of tourists cannot pass.

The lodging is at home rental officers so travelers will experience a greater cultural immersion in Cuba, being in contact with Cuban families while enjoying total privacy.

Travelers will learn how to make street portraits, how to approach people and how to ask permission to take these photos, street photo is another important part of this photography workshop, private photo sessions will also be held in specific places and we’ll analyze the photographs of travelers to discover the best photographs and learn how to tell stories with a series of polaroid snapshots.

We will not only learn photography from Louis Alarcon, but will also deeply know Cuba, mainly its human part. Louis arrived in Cuba in 1998 and developed his project “Photographing Cuba” exclusively on the island, undoubtedly the number one specialist in photo workshops in Cuba.

After more than 20 years in Cuba Louis has designed this photo workshop for travelers of any nationality who are passionate about travel, people and photography, a photo tour away from the most touristic areas, with accommodation in official Cuban rental houses where the touch with the Cuban people is narrower.

Some of the Tour Highlights

- Take outstanding photos of Cuban people and activities away from the tourist scene.
- Learn about the forbidden pictures.
- Tell stories with your series of photographs.
- Visit an Afro-Cuban priest and photograph Afro-Cuban dancers.
- Discover a boxing gym of a former Olympic Champion.
- Find the Che Guevara Graffiti route in Havana.
- Take portraits of farmers, photos of landscape in Vinales village, visit to their special farms and "tobacco houses".
- Experience the Havana´s life and Malecon scenes, including sunset in the right place at the right time.
- Walk around agrifood colorful markets
- Cuban architecture.
- Capture the interior of Cuban houses.
- Get expert tuition on a camera´s configuration, proper lense use, etc.
- Enjoy and work like a professional who knows how to choose the best pictures.
- Get lots of surprises in our daily photo tour
- Rest in official Cuban houses.

ITINERARY

Day 1 – ARRIVE IN HAVANA (D)

Today is the photo tour arrival day and we will organise an airport transfer to your accommodation in Havana. This will be your first opportunity to meet with Louis and your guide to discuss the itinerary.
This evening will also present the perfect opportunity to take a walk along the Malecon with your hosts, feeling the sea breeze and seeing all that the city has to offer.

B,L,D – denotes Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Day 2 – HAVANA (B,L,D)

Today you will have your first opportunity to capture the lively street theatre of Havana Vieja. Louis and your guide will take you to streets not often frequented by tourists as well as the main squares and points of interest.

Today Louis will also share with you tips about taking photos in Cuba, including the Cuban personality with photographers and the people and places you shouldn’t photograph. The focus today is on Cuban culture and Cuban people.

You will also have the opportunity to photograph colourful markets, courtyards and terraces as well as a vintage gym which provides a very unique atmosphere.

During the day Louis will ask you to share with him you photos, so you can discuss and analyse, as you can see in this link with photos of our previous travelers.

Day 3 – HAVANA (B,L,D)

Today the focus is on Afro-Cuban roots and Afro-Cuban religion.

You will visit an Afro-Cuban priest and get the opportunoty to take photos of Afro-dancers during their daily performances. You will visit the colourful streets of Callejon de Hammel to view Salvador Gonzales Escalona handiwork as a famous cuban painter, muralist and sculptor.

In the evening during sunset, we will visit the Malecon and the Prado intersection. Making sure we are in the right place at the right moment, in the right light!

Day 4 – VINALES (B,L,D)

This morning we will be up early and on our way to the rural township of Vinales. We will have lunch at the Los Jazmines look-out point and you will be blown away by the natural beauty of this area.Accompanied by Louis and you local guide, you will learn all about the special lifestyle in this area.

The evening provides a fantastic opportunity to enjoy local music amongst the warm and friendly locals.

Day 5 – VINALES BACK TO HAVANA (B,L,D)

This morning we will be up early again to journey into the heart of the valley. Hear we will meet farmers who are preparing their morning coffee and meet the local wildlife amongst a sea of green back-drops.

You will have the opportunity to go inside the houses of the locals, getting to know the families as you share a local “criollo coffee”.

Be ready to capture memorable portraits and daily scenes of this special part of Cuba.

Take photos of the beautiful Vinales valley until your heart is content and visit a Tobacco farm to see a cigar rolling demonstration and learn more about the local industry.

In the afternoon you will travel back to Havana with Louis and your guide.

Day 6 – HAVANA (B,L,D)

Today we continue to focus on street photography, exploring new areas of the city.

We will focus on the Classic American cars that cruise the streets as well as external colonial facades and families on balconies.
We will visit a Cuban family in Havana to learn more about daily life and meet a former Olympic Boxing champion at his own Gym.

You will also visit the San Jose Market meeting well known painters, sculptors and artisans. This is a great opportunity to view and buy cuban art, finding many photographic opportunities that mix paintings with people.

Louis will always be there to review your work, offering advice and assistance to help you improve as a photographer.

Day 7 – HAVANA (B,L,D)

Today we will follow the Che Guevara route in Havana. There are many graffiti works of Che Guevara in Havana of which some are hidden and others are not.
While strolling the Che Guevara Route you will visit other points of interest and visit a popular Cuban photographer to learn more about their work and photography in Cuba.
We will end the day with a special farewell dinner.

Locally Sourced Cubais the specialized agency that manages and sells my photography courses in Cuba; here’s all the detailed information to make your reservation.

Locally Sourced Cuba Tours also offers affordable licensed people-to-people Private Cuba Tours, through our partnership with the US-based Educational Adventures Company. This is a fantastic way to experience our authentic, local and personal tours, legally and hassle-free!